There are many reasons why improving your home is a good idea. There are projects to suit every budget and skill-set, going from major season-long additions down to simple repair jobs that can be handled in an afternoon. Regardless of the size and scope of the project, intelligent planning and execution will result in cost savings. You may even find that it is fun! Keep reading to learn some great advice.
Be certain your air conditioner’s filters is kept clean. If the filter is clogged, it will force your air condition to work harder and use more energy. The equipment will run for long periods of time, too. You should change your filter at least once a month to prevent buildup.
It is crucial that you always change your air filters when needed. This will bring in healthier air and keep your air conditioners and heaters running efficiently. Blocked filters are a common cause of calls to repair people.
When it comes to home improvement, be sure to pay attention to the most visible improvements. When you sell your home, buyers will be looking at it, not inspecting its guts. Although a number of important home improvements cannot be seen, if you want to sell your house you must focus on the ones that can be.
Chipping paint, rotting decks and ceilings which contain water damage can be easily seen when you look through a house you are thinking of buying. Always hire a licensed home inspector before you purchase to look for problems that are not easily visible, such as electrical, structural and ventilation defects. Therefore, whenever you are purchasing a new home, you should spend money on home inspection to ensure there is nothing wrong with it. Doing this might save you a bunch of money down the road.
Put nail holes in your paint can rim. The groove where the lids goes on metal cans of paint usually fills with paint, causing it to spill over the sides when you attempt to put the lid back on. If you add wholes spaces all around the edge of the channel with a hammer and nail, the paint will drain back into the can.
Have your list ready before you go shopping for home improvement items. This will make it less likely that you’ll have to return to the store for something you forgot to get.
Always make sure to cover your furniture and floors when painting. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. Layers of old newspaper make an inexpensive protective covering. Alternatively, you can use plastic sheeting or a painter’s tarp to keep paint drips off of your floors.
A house that is well groomed and has a pleasant view may have more market value than other homes. Keep in mind, though, that the extra cost of the view may not be looked at as an investment, but as an extra charge for your pleasure. Future buyers might not appreciate the view as much as you do.
Without spending too much money, you can make freshen the appearance of kitchen appliances. Although stainless steel is popular these days, it’s pointless to get rid of a working refrigerator just because you don’t like the color. Appliance spray paint is available in a variety of colors at any home supply store. This can be completed easily in one day.
A lot of people may want to install a wood fireplace in the home, but this might not be your best option for a slew of different reasons. Wood stoves are not an efficient heating source due to the fact that a good amount of heat will end up drifting up the chimney instead of going into your home. In addition, a fire needs a fresh supply of air to survive and it takes it from inside your home. Your fireplace will use up a good portion of your home’s oxygen.
When a contractor comes out to assess problems and begin work, a contract should be written. The contract protects you both and ensures that you won’t face higher costs than you had agreed to. Not having a contract could really end up coming back to hurt you.
You can greatly improve the safety in your home by gathering your family members and discussing safety escape routes. When disaster strikes, panic often sets in. If you have a good escape plan in place, people in your household will know what to do in the event of fire, flood, or other disaster. This will help ensure their safety. Planning this in advance allows you to model the home in such a way that you won’t meet obstructions in the escape.
Keep records when you have a contractor doing home improvements on your house. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the contractor has you covered in this regard. For anything related to your home improvement work, save all documents. Your paperwork file should help prevent misunderstandings with a contractor by providing details about costs, expectations and the time frame for the performance of your home improvements.
Work on outdoor areas, as well. The living space of your home can be extended into your backyard. You will love having a new outdoor living area for entertaining or just relaxing.
You don’t need store-bought artwork to spice up your walls; you can use something as conventional as a three dimensional tile. Use 3-D tiles in a couple of colors, like blue and white, and rotate them in a unique pattern on your wall to create something artsy and original.
Costume Jewelry
Money that a homeowner invests in installing new windows is seldom wasted. Quality energy-efficient windows can make heating and cooling a home significantly cheaper, thanks to the way that they prevent unwanted heat transfer and keep internal and external air separated. This is a great home improvement project, because it adds so much value in so many ways.
Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a coat rack. Use it just for costume jewelry, not expensive pieces. If you display your jewelry nicely, it keeps things organized and looks pretty too. Keep your most commonly worn jewelry easy to get to.
Would you like a new dresser? Try sanding and refinishing your old furniture to give it a new lease on life. If you refinish your furniture, you save hundreds of dollars and get a new piece of furniture that looks great. There are many colors you can stain your furniture, too.
Instead of using a table lamp, use a floor lamp to create more space on your nightstand. These free-standing lamps are easy to move around, whereas table lamps require lots of surface space. Choose a lamp with a unique design that you can appreciate.
Installing new door knobs in place of old ones will increase safety and improve home appearance. It doesn’t take very long to do. All you need to own is a screw driver. Hardware stores sell knobs for installation.
Cabinet Knobs
It is shocking what a change to the look of your room some crown molding will make. Crown molding will give walls a little personality if you are looking for a way to spice them up. Crown molding is an inexpensive but effective room project, and you can attend to the installation yourself.
Install new knobs on your cabinets for a fresh look. Cabinet knobs can be easily installed and they actually add quite a bit of help in improving the decor of your kitchen. Remember to clean your cabinet doors, both on the exterior and interior, after you remove the old cabinet knobs. You can do a really thorough cleaning with nothing in the way. All you have to do after that is screw the new hardware into place!
Prior to applying paint over top of glossy finish paint, coat it with quality primer. Taking this extra step will ensure your new paint doesn’t peel and adheres well to your wall. If you’re painting over a dark or bright color, you’ll have to prime in that situation, too.
When you are wanting to do bathroom remodeling, make your bathroom handicap accessible. Even if you can’t do a full conversion, there are ways to make your bathroom more accessible. This is important especially if you intend to retire and grow older in your home. If you sell your home, these preparations will add to the value of your house on the market.
Have you ever looked at a home only to wonder about the number of bathrooms it might have and if that would work for you? The actual value of a home can be influenced by how many bathrooms it has. To increase your home’s value, you may want to consider adding another bathroom.
If you live with an elderly or disabled family member, remember to take into account their safety, mobility, and accessibility when planning your improvements. One good example of this is a shower stall that can simply be stepped into or rolled into with a shower chair. You can also install grab bars in your bathroom to make the task of cleaning up a bit easier as well.
Change the accessories in every room to give your home a bright new look. Simple changes such as new piece of artwork or new throw pillows can instantly update your home. Purchase new window treatments which are vibrant in color and pair them with a vase, lamp and pillows in the same or coordinating colors. Your finished room will looked like a decorator was hired to give your place an updated look.
This article has hardly scratched the surface of potential home improvement projects available to you. Be careful, as it is easy to get addicted to home improvement once you get started! The advice contained here can help wet your appetite and get you started in the world of home improvement. Once you’ve done a few projects, you are going to want to pursue bigger challenges.
A great way to save money is to use tile or hardwood in those high-traffic rooms and areas of the house. Just one rainy season can dirty the pathway before the rest of the carpet, especially if you have a large family. The lifespan of carpet in these areas is much shorter, too. As an alternative, try linoleum, tile or other like materials.
